Kalapabata – Inside Jagannath Temple

inside-jagannath-temple

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The Kalpabata or the big banyan tree is said to have existed

Kalpataru – Kalpabriksha – Kalapabata

since long. this tree Kalapa Bata finds mentions in Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana. Skanda Purana says that in the beginning of the present Kalapa ( the span of time between two deluges) Bishnu and Laxmi were in this Pursottam Khetrafloating in the water. At that time a sage Markandeya, who supposed to live for seven Kalpas, was also floating and he was also searching for a shelter. He could find the banyan tree and came near to it., till he heard the voice of a child, which directed to him closer. He saw Bishnu and Laxmi. Bishnu instructed him to limb up the tree and enter the mouth of the child. Markandeya did accordingly and saw the entire universe in the abdomen of the child. Later Bishnu advised him to dig a pond for him at north-west side of the tree.

Skanda Purana also depicts that Sabara King Biswabashu was worshiping Nilamadhabunder this tree. The Kalpa Brukshya is also found mention in Brahna Purana that say it was never destroyed even after the end of Kalpa. The Pilgrims and visitors circumambulate the tree along the narrow passage and it believed that the tree divine power of wish fulfilling.